Bombay Flying Club becomes first DGCA-approved drone training school in India

July 28, 2020: Bombay Flying Club (BFC) at Juhu, Mumbai became the first Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) -approved drone training school of India.

In an order dated July 24, 2020, the ministry of Civil Aviation granted a conditional exemption to Bombay Flying Club from Rule 15A of Aircraft Rules, 1937 for conducting remote pilot training using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

The permission granting DGCA letter notes that "the validity of the exemption is for a period of one year from the date of issue of this letter or until the operationalization of Digital Sky Platform, whichever is earlier."

The DGCA has also asked BFC to seek clearances from local administration, ministries of defence, home affairs, Indian Air Force and Airport Authority of India before the operation of RPAS. The permitted RPAS operations are restricted to daytime and within the Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).